'Death and Harry Houdini' ★★★★

Of all Harry Houdini's great feats of daring, none thrilled audiences as much as the Chinese Water Torture Cell, a transparent, fish tank-like device filled with gallons of water into which Houdini would be lowered, head first. The cover would be padlocked after the great escapologist held his breath. A must-see for fans of magic and illusions, The House Theatre's fabulous "Death and Harry Houdini" ends with a detailed re-creation of that very trick, performed by Dennis Watkins, an actor and magician who has closely studied Houdini's greatest illusions. To say that the audience is attentive to the events taking places just a few feet in front of them at the Chopin Theatre is an understatement. The writer-director Nathan Allen stages the show with the audience on two sides, offering each side a simultaneous view of fellow audience members with eyes averted, brows covered with hands, and faces filled with amazement and discomfort. -- Chris Jones Through March 11 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; $25 at 773-769-3832 or thehousetheatre.com

Of all Harry Houdini's great feats of daring, none thrilled audiences as much as the Chinese Water Torture Cell, a transparent, fish tank-like device filled with gallons of water into which Houdini would be lowered, head first. The cover would be padlocked after the great escapologist held his breath. A must-see for fans of magic and illusions, The House Theatre's fabulous "Death and Harry Houdini" ends with a detailed re-creation of that very trick, performed by Dennis Watkins, an actor and magician who has closely studied Houdini's greatest illusions. To say that the audience is attentive to the events taking places just a few feet in front of them at the Chopin Theatre is an understatement. The writer-director Nathan Allen stages the show with the audience on two sides, offering each side a simultaneous view of fellow audience members with eyes averted, brows covered with hands, and faces filled with amazement and discomfort. -- Chris Jones Through March 11 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; $25 at 773-769-3832 or thehousetheatre.com

Of all Harry Houdini's great feats of daring, none thrilled audiences as much as the Chinese Water Torture Cell, a transparent, fish tank-like device filled with gallons of water into which Houdini would be lowered, head first. The cover would be padlocked after the great escapologist held his breath. A must-see for fans of magic and illusions, The House Theatre's fabulous "Death and Harry Houdini" ends with a detailed re-creation of that very trick, performed by Dennis Watkins, an actor and magician who has closely studied Houdini's greatest illusions. To say that the audience is attentive to the events taking places just a few feet in front of them at the Chopin Theatre is an understatement. The writer-director Nathan Allen stages the show with the audience on two sides, offering each side a simultaneous view of fellow audience members with eyes averted, brows covered with hands, and faces filled with amazement and discomfort. -- Chris Jones Through March 11 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.; $25 at 773-769-3832 or thehousetheatre.com